§ 101. Sir W. Smithersasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, in view of the fact that the total expenditure on public social service was £512 million in 1939, £1,471 million in 1949, £1,531 million in 1950, £1,638 million in 1951–52 and £1,865 million in 1952–53, particulars of which have been sent to him, he will give an assurance that it is the policy of Her Majesty's Government to reduce this amount or to fix some limit on increase.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterThe Government are, of course, fully aware of the growth of our commitments on social services, and this matter is being examined in connection with the careful review of public expenditure to which my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer referred during the Budget debate.